July 2011

July 29, 2011

What are you longing for today? It's been a full week here in the Conrad home and studio, with my daughter, Jessica and I awaking early, getting her off to band camp, and my daughter, Katelyn, attending extra (hmm as if 5 were not enough!) dance classes in preparation for her audition for company at her dance studio.

This has called upon alot of extra driving for mom, to and fro thru the city wilst I do my best to balance my creative biz work schedule with my momma responsibilities.

So, it is no wonder I find myself, this morning, longing for some decompression time, and a little R&R.

*** ohm ***

Couldn't you just wile the day away here . . .

or here

or here

There is something magical, emm, really more than that . . .

spiritual for me about the coast. It is where I feel the most fluid, raw connection with my Creator and my spirit.

So I am taking this longing I am feeling, (for coastal comfort) to be that I am also longing for connection with God, with my spirit - quiet time, with the soft ocean breeze, listening for His still small, yet all knowing voice.

What do you long for?

How do you fulfill your longing?

I hope you will create time this weekend to say, "Yes. I welcome fulfillment of my longing."

July 27, 2011

I really do love (HGTV's) Secrets of a Stylist hosted by Emily Henderson. Among the many likeable parts of Miss Emily is her style diagnostic approach and the creative style descriptions she gives to her clients - well that, and her spunky personality.

Hmm, wonder what she'd say is my "style diagnostic."

At the heart of me is my love for all things vintage - like these pieces from my newest release for Creative Co-Op -

So Miss Emily Henderson, does this give me a Dx of style multiple personality???

We've been taking small, sloooooooooooow steps here in the Conrad house to spiffy up some spaces & places, making do with what we have, moving things around, adding a touch of paint, and adding custom tables and fabric all in the name of more effectively, comfortably living, and working in our home. I will finally be able to share the reveal of my home office with you in the coming days...waiting for the piece de resistance to be delivered. Yep! It's vintage. What can I say?

I was recently introduced to Pinterest by friend and follower Linda Auclair, and wowee-wow-wow do I appreciate her doing so. BUT, I could spend all day here - it is style heaven. There are so many jaw dropping beautiful sources of inspiration there, like her Pinterest pages.

My artist friends and I (check out their blogs over to the right here) have recently been chatting about style, decor, trends, color all the good stuff our work entails. While my signature style is vintage, and always will be, I have recently paid homage to my other personality in my designing - the free spirited, whimsical, playful side I'd like to see come out more often. These collections will come to market in January 2012.

It's good to be true to all of who you are, whether you are designing art for commercial products, designing rooms in your home, pulling together your wardrobe, or cultivating your friendships.

So, what's your style? What remains tucked away inside your heart that you'ld like to see more of?

Thank you Susan Wagner, editor Country Business - we're always happy when Country Business arrives in our mailbox each month and expecially delighted this month to be represented on its cover! It felt like Christmas in July!

Still feeling goose bumps seeing the above, a trip to Barnes & Noble for my monthly pruchase of home dec magazines, including the beloved Somerset Life magazine, brought even more joy, when Great Gatsby, I turned to page 124 and saw Lan Nguyen and Cynthia Levens' story about gift giving featuring one of my Feather Your Nest decorative boxes

Lan had chosen my Feather Your Nest box to create this oh-so-lovely and very personalized gift for Stampington President & Publisher Kellene Giloff.

Lovely, lovely - thank you ladies for choosing to create such a thoughtful gift and wrapping its personal beauty in one of my Feather Your Nest boxes.

IF you haven't picked up this issue of Somerset Life - you must make it to the store today to do so. It is filled with page after page of everlasting goodness.

Thank you, too, sweet friends who follow my creative journey creating art and designing gift and home decor products. The journey is made possible because of you and is so because of my deep desire to warm your heart & home®

July 18, 2011

When I was a little girl I would wander the fabric store and pull fabric from every bolt and drape it over my arm mesmerized by the color, the pattern, the texture and imagine the possibilities. Today, when I walk through a fabric store it is no different, I delight in every colorway, pattern and texture but with a more discerning eye . . .

and . . .now, when I walk through a fabric store, I will see, touch and feel my fabric.

Today, I was sewing straps to new ballet shoes for my daughter Katelyn, but I hope to soon be sewing pillows and other lovelies with this timeless, classic collection. I wanted to bring a little vintage french cottage feel to you with this collection and I'm so excited to see how you interpret A la Maison with your creativity.

It's an honor to be working with Robert Kaufman Fabrics and I have to pinch myself that the time has come for A la Maison to ship to stores.

Creating art for gift & home decor, and now fabric, for Robert Kaufman, is such a privilege. I hope you will celebrate with me and please share the good news, tell your friends and be sure to share your creative concepts with me here.